Burger-in-a-Bowl at The CounterOne of the challenges of eating out with food allergies is knowing how to order, and feeling entitled enough to think outside the pre-determined menu box. Having grown up in a family that, in its entirety, possesses an obnoxious inability to order straight off a menu without altering something (however small), this part of the gluten free lifestyle never seemed daunting to me. It wasn’t until recently that I realized how distressing the process can be for someone raised to order properly and politely, off the menu the chef took the trouble to put together for them. For anyone who feels that ordering a “create your own” meal at a restaurant is even remotely rude, it is time to make a visit to Ballard’s The Counter and get introduced to the world of custom built burgers. The Counter doesn’t really have a menu; rather, they have a clipboard with a sheet listing all of their ingredients. Rumor has it, there are well over 300,000 different combinations possible. It’s like ordering on the wild side, but with training wheels on!Getting creative to rescue a lost balloon for its teary young owner.If you have food allergies, this is only kind of cool. It is the addition of their general manager, Cory, that makes it fantastic. Cory’s wife is severely gluten intolerant, so he knows why it matters to go the extra mile. The Counter already provides a printed matrix of all their foods vs. common allergens upon request, and already makes sure that things like the fries are kept fully separate from things like the onion rings, so that there is no cross-contamination in frying. In addition to this, with someone who personally understands food allergies at the helm, The Counter in Ballard goes out of its way to take its customers’ diets seriously, and bring you a meal that is as allergen-free as possible. Aside from the great customer service and understanding, The Counter also serves up a pretty mean burger. Not to mention the excellent, flour-free french fries. It’s a fun place to eat when in a group with mixed dietary restrictions (or lack thereof). And, with a full bar, and easy parking due to its obscure location, it doesn’t make a bad place to meet up with friends.